Hidden risk factors that could put your heart in danger

Women who had gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. As a result, they should take prevention seriously and be aggressive about lifestyle interventions. (Locked) More »

Safety of LED nail lamps

Q. I was worried about drying my nails with a lamp or light box at the nail salon because of the potential risk of cancer from the ultraviolet radiation, but my salon recently switched to LED lamps. Are they safer? A. The light boxes used to cure polish during gel manicures, and to dry traditional nail polish, have raised some concern because — like tanning beds — they emit ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, which is associated with a higher cancer risk. A 2014 study in JAMA Dermatology found that the level of UVA exposure associated with a gel manicure every two weeks probably isn't high enough to increase the risk of skin cancer significantly, but you are wise to be aware of the issue. More »

When the arrival of menopause brings symptoms of depression

Hormone therapy has long been a controversial topic, and a new study about the role of hormones in depression is adding some fodder to the debate. A study published in the January 10 issue of JAMA Psychiatry determined that hormone therapy may help ward off symptoms of depression in women. Researchers found that perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women who were treated with hormones were less likely to experience symptoms of depression than women in the study who were given a placebo. But while the findings of the study are important — particularly considering that a woman's risk of depression doubles or even quadruples during the menopausal transition — that doesn't mean hormone therapy should be widely used for preventing depression in women at this stage of life, says Dr. Hadine Joffe, the Paula A. Johnson Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Women's Health at Harvard Medical School, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study. "It's not a 'never,' but it shouldn't be a standard approach; in general, all of medicine has moved away from using hormones for prevention," she says. The study ran from October 2010 to February 2016 and included 172 perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women ranging in age from 45 to 65 who were experiencing low-level symptoms of depression. Roughly half used a skin patch containing the hormone estradiol for 12 months as well as intermittent oral progesterone pills. The rest received a fake skin patch and placebo pills. (Locked) More »

Skin potions that really work

Serums can be a valuable addition to your skin care regimen because they give your skin a concentrated dose of vitamins and antioxidants. However, choosing the right combination of ingredients for the skin problems you are trying to address is important. (Locked) More »

Finding the right serum for your skin

Serums can be a valuable addition to your skin care regimen because they give your skin a concentrated dose of vitamins and antioxidants. However, choosing the right combination of ingredients for the skin problems you are trying to address is important. (Locked) More »

5 foods to eat (almost) every day

Eating better doesn’t require making drastic changes. Women can improve their diet by adding nutrient-packed foods such as salmon, blueberries, plain yogurt, nuts, and Brussels sprouts. (Locked) More »